INTERPOL’s 25th African conference ends: Strengthening police co-operation for an effective regional response to crime and terrorism

INTERPOL’s African Regional Conference ended on Thursday 30 June at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou. Delegates from the 29 African countries and Interpol members agreed on a series of recommendations to increase information sharing and operational activity to combat transnational crime and terrorism.

Gathered in Benin since June 28, the participants in these meetings tackled the current and future challenges of Africa. These include law enforcement issues, terrorism, cybercrime, financial crime and corruption, as well as human trafficking and maritime piracy.

At the conclusion of the action-packed activities, INTERPOL Vice President for Africa and conference chairman Garba Baba Umar said the meeting provided an opportunity for member countries to collectively identify ways to improve and advance security in the region. “To fight transnational crime more effectively, the African region must make greater use of INTERPOL’s network and capabilities,” he said, adding: “We have seen how co-ordination between countries, and through INTERPOL, can produce significant results, and we must build on this for the future.

Some resolutions adopted by the conference

Among the measures approved by the conference in favor of African member countries are the following

Increased use of INTERPOL’s global network to exchange information on transnational financial crime cases.

The design and implementation of a regional coordination framework to improve the interoperability of cybercrime law enforcement agencies and enhance cooperation for joint operations against cybercrime

Expanding access to the INTERPOL network beyond the National Central Bureaus (NCBs) to better support the African Union’s programs.

Moreover, the fight against terrorism and even against all other crimes is not an easy task. Emmanuel Missaliki, Police Commissioner and Head of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Brazzaville, recommends a strong collaboration between all actors. “It is necessary to synergize all the forces, whether at the continental or international level, and to create the conditions to fight against all forms of crime,” he said, before insisting that “if we do not take precautions, we are all victims.

Some 120 senior police officials from 29 countries participated in the meeting. INTERPOL’s 26th African regional session will be held in Angola.